(mods - a bit ranty, a bit debate-ey, relocate thread as appropriate)
I think it’s pretty safe to say that historically, a significant portion (if not the main portion) the medical marijuana movement has been mostly about hyping up some real but minor benefits of marijuana as an approach to legalization, or at least easier availability, of pot.
I’ve always been deeply suspicious and annoyed at this, but not out of any love of prohibition. I think it should simply be ended and replaced with sensible but liberal regulation. By all means, permit doctors to prescribe cannabis just as they can prescribe aspirin or any OTC drug, but the decision to use should be in the hands of law-abiding citizens.
My thinking had always been that the outcome of medicalization of marijuana could only result in the permanent assignment of what ought to be a civil right to a medical establishment that is loth to give up control.
And so this was my grudging response to the tidal wave of “progressive” “medical marijuana” legislation sweeping over the states, leading to none other than the Republican-controlled House passing a bill proposing that the federal government respect individual states’ marijuana laws. Like, whoa. “OK, so it’s medical bullshit, but at least it’s a crack in the dam. Hey, even the Republicans are seeing reason.” I know, I know, I can be so adorably naive sometimes.
What’s really going on here? Well, it turns out, we’ve already seen it rear its head on the SDMB. Maybe you clocked it for what it was; I was a bit slower to catch on, until yesterday.
What happened? I was approached by an old high-school chum peddling a “business opportunity”. Yes, now you know where this is going. He’s going full gangbusters with a hemp product venture! It’s chock full of CBD (cannabidiol)! What? Even in this deep-red southern state that will secede before it legalizes weed? Yes! because CBD doesn’t get you high, it’s really only hemp oil and it cures every… ahem, we’re not legally allowed to say, but just Google up the “health benefits of CBD”, and try our sprays and vapes and lip balm chewing gum and pet products… and I can make sure you get in on this deal.
“And by the way, this opportunity is only going to grow, because CBD-oil-only laws are sweeping the nation!”
That’s when the light bulb went off in my head, and I did do a little googling, and I realized what’s going on.
“Medical marijuana” has become largely synonymous with the CBD oil products business, a multi-billion dollar market of Burt’s Bees snake oil bullshit that threatens to subvert the cause of real medical benefit or legalization. Don’t misunderstand, I know pharmaceutical-grade CBD might be able to help some medical conditions. But what they’re selling is some shitty hemp paste in shitty hemp oil of entirely unknown contents.
And what does this ultimately to do liberalization efforts the next time you go to the legislature? “Hey, we graciously green-lit your CBD oil pyramid scheme out of our deep, deep regard for epileptic children, and now you ingrates actually want to legalize teh HIGH? Will your tiresome hippie pothead demands never end?”
So you hippie medical-marijuana bullshitters hoped for some kind bud from a friendly doctor, but now you’re going to get some shitty hemp paste suppositories from maniacal multi-level marketers. Enjoy that medical marijuana, dumbasses.